第９９０堀：食事が終わってから (Part1)
**Chapter 990: After the Meal**
**Side: Labyris**
"Wait, so it actually exists!"
The Emperor of Eupia let out a cry of surprise.
Ah, I see... I suppose they had heard rumors about it, but clearly didn't believe a word of it. Well, that’s standard; a device like a Gate is hard to fathom if you haven't seen it yourself. That’s exactly why Yuki had been so careful about choosing the right time to bring it up.
Now, I need to do my job properly.
"Yes, it does, Emperor of Eupia. If you provide the location, I can have it installed immediately upon your request," I replied.
We’ve already installed a Gate in the Zurabl Empire’s capital, but I certainly couldn't show them that one. Since that was installed without permission, it could be misconstrued as an act of aggression. That’s why handling Gates is such a delicate matter.
"It requires a specific location?"
"Yes. As you understand, a Gate is a passage that allows for instantaneous travel. If we were to install one without the permission of the Emperor and your senior officials, it could be seen as an act of invasion. It is our policy that a Gate must never be installed without proper authorization and the provision of a designated site by the host nation."
I recited the standard rules for Gate installation. It’s important to follow procedure. I’m sure the Emperor of Eupia understands this, but they seemed quite flustered at the moment. As I was thinking this, the look of shock finally began to give way to understanding.
"…I see. Indeed, now that you mention it, that makes sense. If such a thing were built without consent, one would have no choice but to assume hostile intent. Furthermore, if it is to serve as a hub for international logistics, we must secure an appropriate location to avoid future chaos."
The Emperor of Eupia, who had been jumping for joy over the curry, had calmed down, and the face of the ruler of the Zurabl Great Empire began to emerge.
"However, since it would be unreasonable to secure a permanent site without knowing the reality of it, I suggest we start by placing a smaller, trial Gate."
This is the usual pattern. Since most people are skeptical, we have to provide a demonstration. Yuki had a hard time with Litea; he had to literally kick Alstaire and Crack and toss them through the Gate to prove it. Now, let’s see how the Emperor of the Zurabl Great Empire reacts. Am I going to have to kick someone?
"Hmm. That is reasonable. Unless I show the senior officials that such a thing as a 'Gate' truly exists, they will never be convinced. Let us begin preparations at once."
As expected, being similar to Yuki, they act quickly to address practical problems. I felt a sense of fondness for the Emperor, and just as I was about to start the preparations...
"Eh? You don't want seconds anymore?"
"Then Firia will eat it all!"
"Hiiro too!"
"Ah, I'll take seconds as well."
The Emperor and I froze at those words, but we immediately exchanged a look of mutual understanding.
"The matter of the Gate—we can handle it after lunch is finished, right?"
"Yes, that’s fine."
"Seconds!"
"Ahahaha..."
Work is important, of course, but the option to interrupt the meal that Aslin and the others had gone through the trouble of preparing simply didn't exist for either me or the Emperor.
" *Burp* "
"Um, Your Majesty, and everyone from Weed... wouldn't it be better to rest a little longer?"
The senior officials of the Zurabl Great Empire looked concerned. But now that the lunch break was over, we couldn't afford to wait any longer.
"Do not worry. We simply enjoyed a meal together. We shall adjust our schedule properly next time. *Burp*."
The Emperor, having had plenty of seconds, looked a bit rounder in the middle, but still spoke with authority. Well, everyone who gets involved with Weed’s food ends up like this; it’s practically a rite of passage.
"Now, the reason I have gathered you all here is..."
From there, the Emperor explained the Gate and instructed the officials to deliberate on where it should be installed.
"Hmm. I don't know how much of this talk about a 'Gate' is true, but if it is merely a trial, the training grounds should suffice."
"Indeed. If it proves useless, we can simply remove it; we would only lose a day of soldier training at most."
"Furthermore, regarding the possibility of an invasion by Weed, which Your Majesty fears, the training grounds would allow us to gather troops and respond if necessary. Though, given that we are discussing this openly here, I doubt that concern is warranted."
The officials offered their opinions, and I agreed that the training grounds were a safe choice.
"Hmm. Then, prepare at once. You all seem half-in-doubt, but if this Gate proves to be real, the benefits it will bring to our nation are limitless. There is no reason to postpone such a momentous matter. Understood? Begin preparations immediately!"
"Yes!"
As expected of the leader of a Great Empire. The subordinates immediately obeyed and moved into action.
"Now, Labyris. Or rather, Gate Management Supervisor Labyris. I leave the preparations to you as well."
"Understood."
It’s a bit annoying that I can't say "Dungeon Master's Proxy" here. "Gate Management Supervisor" is such a mouthful... but never mind that. Let’s get to work.
"Alright, Aslin, Firia, Shera, Hiiro, Vilia, Deryu. It’s work time."
When I said that, everyone nodded and sprang into action. Installing the Gate itself isn't that labor-intensive, but everyone was checking everything with the utmost seriousness. And for good reason.
This Gate installation is the fruit of the time we spent eating and bonding with the Emperor. If this fails, the trust we’ve built will crumble. Well, given our relationship, it’s unlikely the Emperor would cut ties with Weed over a failed dream, but if we succeed here, we can definitely pull them onto our side.
In other words, this is the turning point for whether the Zurabl Great Empire joins the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance. If this succeeds, we can gain various information through the cracks, which will help with our investigation into the magical depletion phenomenon. And, though I’d rather not get involved, it would also give us the right to intervene in the war between the Zurabl Great Empire and the Haine Empire. After all, we would be able to send not just Weed's forces, but the armies of the entire Intercontinental Exchange Alliance.
Honestly, I don't care about the land here, so I just want this to be over with. As I was thinking this, all the checks and preparations were completed, and it was time to activate the Gate.
"Yuki. The installation here is finished. How about on your end?"
*Yeah, we're ready too. We've finished connecting to the Sea-Cypho capital and Aurelia Port.*
Everything is ready. Now, we just need to activate it and confirm it’s working properly.
*Oh, before that, let the Emperor of Eupia contact Show. It’ll be easier to convince them if they can confirm the situation on both sides beforehand.*
"I see. Understood."
With that, I explained the situation and had them use the radio to contact Show, who was on the other side of the Gate.
"I see. Indeed, if Show, who should be across the sea, is there when we arrive, there will be no choice but to believe. There is no better way to verify the Gate."